Wildlife Program

"Falklands"

This itinerary is ideal for those visiting the Falklands after a South American Journey and want to enjoy Antarctica wildlife exploring the best wildlife observation areas staying in comfortable and conveniently located Wildlife Lodges. You explore:
- Saunders Island sheltering albatrosses, King, Gentoo and Macaroni Penguins. A great opportunity to see the black-browed albatross
- Sea Lion Island with its huge colonies of sea lions, elephant seals and 47 species of breeding birds including 4 penguin species. Leopard seals, killer whales and larger whales are sometimes observed.
- Volunteer Point known for its white sandy beach and turquoise waters crammed with King, Gentoo and Magellanic Penguin.
You can check which species are seen on the main islands in the wildlife document (pdf - 11 Kb)

The Itinerary

Day 1 : Darwin
Arrive Mount Pleasant Airport early afternoon, transfer by private vehicle to Darwin, a drive of approximately 35 minutes.
Darwin, named after the famous naturalist Charles Darwin who visited the Islands in the 1830s, provides its visitors with a selection of Falklands history. There is plenty to see from the 1982 conflict, and then going back some 200 years remnants of the gauchos' occupation in the 1800's.
Darwin House, where you spend your first night in the Falklands, is a modern farmhouse with its bedrooms having views over Choiseul Sound, the picturesque settlement and Wickham Heights.


Days 2-3 : Saunders Island
Transfer by Falkland Islands Government Air Service (FIGAS) 8-seater Britten Norman Islander aircraft to Saunders Island and then overland to The Neck. The relatively low level flying provides passengers with exceptional views of the Falklands coastlines and inland scenery.
This 30,000 acre island is still an active sheep farm and is important historically for being the site of the first British settlement in 1765. However the attraction to the wildlife enthusiast is undoubtedly the Black-browed albatross colony which stretches along the north coast to the narrow sandy isthmus known as the Neck. This is unquestionably one of the Falklands best wildlife sites with King and Rock shags, Gentoo, Rockhopper, Magellanic, King and, if lucky a few Macaroni, penguins to be seen as well as the albatross. All this wildlife is right at your doorstep at this fully equipped but isolated self-catering style accommodation. Food can be bought in a small store at the settlement, or alternatively if you would rather not waste a moment's wildlife viewing, preprepared meals can be provided at additional cost.


Days 4-5 : Sea Lion Island
Transfer by FIGAS to Sea Lion Island where you stay at the purpose-built Sea Lion Lodge.
Sea Lion Island is one of the smallest in the Falklands archipelago, and the most southerly inhabited island, but is still the prime destination with the sheer abundance of wildlife in such a small area making it a must on any Falklands itinerary. An introductory and orientation tour by vehicle upon arrival points out the principle areas of interest, however everything is in easy walking distance of the lodge - a map and guidelines for safe wildlife viewing are given out on arrival. The internationally endangered Striated caracara, Antarctic skuas, Southern giant petrels, and a host of passerines can all be seen on this island. Not to be missed are the southern sea lions at East Loafers, and the elephant seals which bask on the white sandy beach at the appropriately named Elephant Corner. The latter are close enough to be seen from the lodge bar! Keep an eye open and there is the odd killer whale to be spotted off shore as well.

Days 6-8 : Stanley - Volunteer Point
Transfer by FIGAS to Stanley. Following arrival at Stanley Airport and prior to your arrival at the Malvina House Hotel, a city tour takes in both the historic and most modern parts of this small and remote capital city, as well as a visit to the museum and the Magellanic penguin colony at Gypsy Cove.
A full-day guided excursion on day 7 in 4x4 vehicle to Volunteer Pointis a highlight of this trip. With the white sandy beach and turquoise waters this destination has a Caribbeanesque feel to it, but the King, Gentoo and Magellanic penguins brings you back to the Falklands. There is a host of other wildlife to be seen along the beach and on the lagoons, as well as spectacular scenery as you traverse the north of East Falkland.

Day 8 : Mount Pleasant
Transfer to Mount Pleasant Airport by private vehicle. Your route takes you past many of the 1982 battlefields and, more historically, relics from the gaucho era of the 1800's.

Itinerary subjected to change depending on weather conditions. We cannot guarantee you will see all species featured in this itinerary.

General Information

Rated: Easy

Getting there
The most convenient and cheap way to visit the Falklands is as a 8 day extension after a journey into Chilean or Argentinean Patagonia. There are weekly flights, each Saturday, from Santiago de Chile and Punta Arenas, stopping once a month in Rio Gallegos (Argentina).
The RAF flies 6 times a month from Brize Norton, Oxfordshire, UK (airfare is around GBP 1000 / USD 1600 / EUR 1500 return)

When to Go
In broad terms, the Falklands' tourist season is the austral summer, roughly October to April, when the hours of daylight are longest. However, the best time to visit within this period depends on your interest.
Wildlife Migratory species such as penguins, seals and black-browed albatross, arrive to breed in September and depart late March / early April. The young are born and reared in the Islands throughout the Southern summer. Flora follows the usual austral season of growth.
Fishing The sea trout season runs from 1 September to 30 April but September and October and mid February to mid April are acknowledged as best for encountering good runs of sea trout. Falklands Mullet is available throughout the period. 0

Fixed Departure dates
Daily with 2 people minimum. (Frequent discounts. ASK !)

Tour Tariff
	Per person	SGL Supp.
USD	$ 1652	$ 447
EUR	€ 1371	€ 371
GBP	£ 925	£250

(*) Price last updated on 12 July 2004. Current price may vary due to elements out of our control, so please always check by sending us a quotation request .
(**) 2 people minimum
(***) Discount of GBP 60 / USD 96 / EUR 87 for bed and breakfasts accommodation with shared facilities and bus transfers in Stanley
(****) Preprepared meal pack available at Saunders Island for GBP 70 / USD 108 / EUR 95

Included:
* Full board accommodation (all meals included) with ensuite facilities at Sea Lion Lodge and ensuite or shared facilities at Darwin House depending on availability at the time of booking.
* Self-catering accommodation at Saunders Island
* Hotel accommodation with ensuite facilities including breakfast in Stanley
* All FIGAS flights
* Transfers as specified
* Excursions as specified


Not included: Other meals, drinks, optional excursions, tips

Falklands Selections